Kenneth Richard Downing, 74, of Huntsville passed away Sunday. Ken was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Nelson and Dorothy Downing. In his teenage years he enjoyed playing in the Drum & Bugle Corp before serving four years in the Army and completing a tour in Vietnam. Following his Army years, he spent time working every job imaginable, from shoe store clerk to short order chef to railroad yard supervisor.
In the late 70s he found his home in Huntsville where he began a career in sales and married the woman who would be his wife for 39 years, Laura. Ken and Laura bought a house in a quiet neighborhood across the street from a park and raised their two daughters.
Ken enjoyed the day-to-day tasks of taking care of the house and yard and became a steward of the park, always making sure the neighborhood children had a safe place to play. Ken loved to cook and was famous for his spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, Christmas Eve chicken cacciatore, and prime rib with homemade horseradish. Most of all, his friends and family will forever remember his famous homemade potato chips, served hot, batch after batch, seasoned with any creative blend he could think of, to his family and friends on New Year’s Day.
Ken learned how to garden from a dear friend and neighbor and for years maintained a beautiful garden keeping everyone supplied with delicious vegetables. In retirement, Ken worked at a plant nursery, often visited by Laura and his beloved dog, Macy.
In 2014, Ken earned what he would perhaps consider his best title: Paw. His grandchildren brought him the ultimate joy for his last eight years. He met them at the door, and sometimes it was unclear who was following who around.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and older siblings. He is survived by his wife, Laura; his daughter, Melanie; his daughter, Shanna, her husband Sean, and their children, Charlotte and Henry. He also leaves his dear younger brother, Gary and his family.
Ken’s family and friends will celebrate his life in a small ceremony Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.
